DISTRIBUTION an‎d NUMBER OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE (IHD) an‎d STROKE DEATHS DUE TO CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO PM2.5 IN 10 CITIES OF IRAN (2013 - 2015); AN AIRQ+ MODELLING

Introductions: Particulate air pollution is known as a major risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. The aim of this study was to estimate the premature IHD and stroke deaths attributed to long-term exposure to PM2.5 in 10 cities of Iran during March 2013 to March 2015 using AirQ+ model. Materials and methods: Ten cities of Iran including Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Ahvaz, Arak, Sanandaj, Khoram Abad, and Ilam were chosen, and their air quality data were acquired from Department of Environment (DoE) and Tehran Air Quality Control Company (AQCC). Validation of monitoring stations were accomplished according to WHO and APHEKOM criteria for health impact assessment of air pollution. The number of deaths due to IHD and stroke was estimated using AirQ+ , which is developed by WHO. Results: The total number of IHD and stroke deaths in the March 2013- March 2014 and March 2014 - March 2015 periods were 15479 and 15321 deaths, respectively. In case of both IHD and stroke mortality, the highest number of IHD and stroke deaths was estimated to be in Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan, respectively. The highest number of attributable deaths per 100,000 population were estimated to be in Ahvaz and Isfahan. The average of excess IHD and stroke deaths due to exposure to PM2.5 in all cities were 84 and 41 per 100,000 population, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated the necessity of urgent actions to improve the outdoor air quality in Iranian cities.